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PM says:

Govt ready for

talks with MQM,

'not militans'

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said on Sunday that the government is ready for unconditional dialogue with the Mohajir Qaumi Movement but not with "the militant group of the MQM led by Altaf Hussain."

Talking to mediamen in her Parliament House Chamber she said her policy is directed at achieving a "political solution" of the Karachi problem. At the same time, no effort would be spared in freeing Karachi from the clutches of militants. "Despite the provocative statements made by the MQM leaders the dialogue will continue," she added.

The prime minister also ruled out creation of another group of the MQM, saying: "Three groups - Altaf's, Azeem Tariq's and Haqiqi's - already exist. We will talk to those who are on the ground", she said.

In Karachi, she said, the government wants to "win the hearts" of the people. "People are faced with many problems and we want to resolve them". She also mentioned how her Rs 121 billion Karachi package is being implemented.

The prime minister forcefully justified her government's tough action in the tribal area in which a number of tribesmen, para-military personnel have been killed. She said the drug barons and smugglers of Bara hired "mercenaries" who have clashed with the government. "We have restored the authority of the state", she claimed.

Answering a question the prime minister said "we are in a position to give the call for mid-term elections", but it was decided at the request of the government allies that the government should complete its five-year term. She explained that while economy has done much better the policy, too, has succeeded in breaking the isolation faced by Pakistan.

She dared the opposition to oppose the bill the government would be soon tabling for the restoration of women's seats in the National Assembly. "Should the bill faced defeated the people would know who is for the seats and who is against," she added.

The prime minister did not accept the reported point of view that Pakistan recently suffered a setback in the US Senate when the amendment to the Pressler law was not carried. She blamed the filibustering on the part of some senators against the bill otherwise the majority support was available.

N D KHAN

Law Minister N D Khan on Sunday indicated that the government is prepared to drop the expression "Altaf Group" for the Mohajir Qaumi Movement with whom it is holding dialogue on Karachi.

He said if by calling the Altaf Group as MQM can bring the MQM negotiators to the talks table the use of that expression can be stopped.

Khan said he has prepared a reply to the letter he received from the leader of MQM team, Ajmal Dehlvi, except for the last paragraph. "I hope to re-draft the last paragraph by tonight or August 15. The same day it would be delivered to the MQM," he added.